Contained welding

Abstract

A welding process includes inserting two work pieces inside a sealable container. Placing the container with the two work pieces inside into a welding device and welding the two members together while inside the container.

What is claimed is: 
     
       1. A welding process, comprising:
 sterilizing two work pieces; 
 inserting the two sterilized work pieces inside a sealable container; 
 sealing the sealable container with the two sterilized work pieces fully enclosed inside and isolated from outside of the container; 
 placing the sealable container with the two sterilized work pieces sealed inside into a welding device; and 
 welding the two sterilized work pieces together while sealed inside the sealable container. 
 
     
     
       2. The welding process according to  claim 1 , wherein the sterilizing the two work pieces and inserting the two work pieces inside the sealable container happens at a first location and welding the two work pieces together happens at a second location different than the first location. 
     
     
       3. The welding process according to  claim 2 , wherein the welded two work pieces are transported to a third location within the sealable container. 
     
     
       4. The welding process according to  claim 1 , wherein the inserting two sterilized work pieces inside a sealable container is performed in an isolated environment. 
     
     
       5. The welding process according to  claim 1 , wherein the welding device is an ultrasonic welder. 
     
     
       6. The welding process according to  claim 5 , further comprising inserting a fixture in the container with the two work pieces within the fixture. 
     
     
       7. The welding process according to  claim 1 , wherein the welding device is a laser welder. 
     
     
       8. The welding process according to  claim 7 , further comprising inserting a laser transmissive member inside the container with the two work pieces. 
     
     
       9. The welding process according to  claim 7 , wherein the laser welder performs one of a scan, trace, roller ball and simultaneous laser welding. 
     
     
       10. The welding process according to  claim 1 , wherein the welding device is one of an ultrasonic, vibration, spin, and thermal welding device. 
     
     
       11. The welding process according to  claim 1 , wherein the container includes one of a clear and laser transmissive flexible bag, sealed plastic wrap and rigid container. 
     
     
       12. A welding process, comprising:
 inserting two work pieces inside a sealable container; 
 sealing the sealable container with the two work pieces fully enclosed inside and isolated from outside of the container; 
 placing the sealable container with the two work pieces sealed inside into a welding device; and 
 welding the two work pieces together while sealed inside the sealable container; 
 wherein the sealable container is flexible. 
 
     
     
       13. The welding process according to  claim 12 , wherein the sealable container is plastic wrap. 
     
     
       14. The welding process according to  claim 12 , wherein the sealable container is a bag. 
     
     
       15. A welding process, comprising:
 sterilizing at least one work piece 
 inserting the at least one sterilized work piece inside a sealable container; 
 sealing the sealable container with the at least one sterilized workpiece fully enclosed inside and isolated from outside of the container; 
 placing the sealable container with the at least one sterilized work piece sealed inside into a welding device; 
 performing one of an ultrasonic or a laser weld on the at least one sterilized work piece while the at least one sterilized work piece is sealed inside the sealable container. 
 
     
     
       16. The welding process according to  claim 15 , wherein the sterilizing the at least one work piece and inserting the at least one work piece inside the container happens at a first location and ultrasonic welding the at least one work piece happens at a second location different than the first location. 
     
     
       17. The welding process according to  claim 16 , wherein the ultrasonic welded at least one work piece is transported to a third location within the sealed sealable container. 
     
     
       18. The welding process according to  claim 15 , wherein the inserting at least one work piece inside a sealable container is performed in an isolated environment. 
     
     
       19. The welding process according to  claim 15 , further comprising inserting a laser transmissive member inside the sealable container with the at least one work piece. 
     
     
       20. A welding process, comprising:
 inserting at least one work piece inside a sealable container; 
 sealing the sealable container with the at least one workpiece fully enclosed inside and isolated from outside of the container; 
 placing the sealable container with the at least one work piece sealed inside into a welding device; 
 performing one of an ultrasonic or a laser weld on the at least one work piece while the at least one work piece is sealed inside the sealable container; 
 wherein the sealable container is flexible. 
 
     
     
       21. The welding process according to  claim 20 , wherein the sealable container is a bag. 
     
     
       22. The welding process according to  claim 20 , wherein the sealable container is plastic wrap. 
     
     
       23. A welding process, comprising:
 inserting at least one work piece inside a sealable container; 
 sealing the sealable container with the at least one workpiece fully enclosed inside and isolated from outside of the container; 
 placing the sealable container with the at least one work piece sealed inside into a welding device; 
 performing one of an ultrasonic or a laser weld on the at least one work piece while the at least one work piece is sealed inside the sealable container; and 
 inserting a fixture in the sealable container with the at least one work piece within the fixture.